Patentable/Patents/US-8468583
US-8468583

Streamlined process for enrollment of multiple digital certificates

PublishedJune 18, 2013
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

The enrollment process for purchasing multiple digital certificates configured using different cryptographic algorithms or hashing algorithms is streamlined. A certificate purchaser wishing to purchase two or more certificates is prompted to provide answers to common enrollment questions, such as the purchaser's contact information, payment details, web server software, and the like, using a simplified and streamlined enrollment process. Each certificate is optionally configured using a different hashing algorithm.

Patent Claims
16 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A method comprising: receiving, by a processing device associated with a certificate authority (CA), a request from a client to purchase a plurality of certificates; receiving common contact information, payment information and a plurality of certificate signing requests from the client; generating the plurality of certificates by the processing device responsive to the request for the plurality of certificates, the generating comprising: generating a first certificate using the common contact information and a first cryptographic algorithm specified in a first certificate signing request of the plurality of certificate signing requests, wherein at least a portion of the common contact information is embodied in the first certificate; and generating a second certificate using the common contact information and a second cryptographic algorithm specified in a second certificate signing request of the plurality of certificate signing requests, wherein at least a portion of the common contact information is embodied in the second certificate; and transmitting the plurality of certificates to the client; wherein the receiving of the request and the transmitting of the plurality of certificates are performed during a single enrollment process.

Plain English Translation

A certificate authority (CA) streamlines the purchase of multiple digital certificates. The CA's server receives a request from a client to buy several certificates. The server receives common contact information (like name, address), payment details, and separate certificate signing requests (CSRs) from the client. The server then generates each certificate. The first certificate is generated using the common contact information and a first cryptographic algorithm (like RSA) specified in the first CSR. The second certificate uses the same common contact information but a second cryptographic algorithm (like ECC) from the second CSR. The common contact information is included in each certificate. All certificates are then sent to the client in one enrollment process.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first cryptographic algorithm is an ECC algorithm, and wherein the second cryptographic algorithm is an RSA algorithm.

Plain English Translation

In the certificate enrollment process, as described in Claim 1, the first cryptographic algorithm used is an Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) algorithm, while the second cryptographic algorithm is an RSA algorithm. This allows a client to obtain certificates using different cryptographic methods within a single purchase and enrollment process.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising: generating the first certificate using a first hashing algorithm; and generating the second certificate using a second hashing algorithm.

Plain English Translation

In the certificate enrollment process, as described in Claim 1, the server generates the first certificate using a first hashing algorithm (like SHA-256), and generates the second certificate using a second hashing algorithm (like SHA-384). This allows a client to obtain certificates using different hashing algorithms within a single purchase and enrollment process.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. A method comprising: receiving, by a processing device associated with a single certificate authority (CA), a request from a client to purchase a plurality of certificates; receiving common contact information, payment information and a certificate signing request from the client; generating the plurality of certificates by the processing device responsive to the request for the plurality of certificates, the generating comprising: generating a first certificate using the common contact information, the certificate signing request and a first hashing algorithm, wherein at least a portion of the common contact information is embodied in the first certificate; and generating a second certificate using the common contact information, the certificate signing request and a second hashing algorithm, wherein at least a portion of the common contact information is embodied in the second certificate; and transmitting the plurality of certificates to the client; wherein the receiving of the request and the transmitting of the plurality of certificates are performed during a single enrollment process.

Plain English Translation

A certificate authority (CA) streamlines the purchase of multiple digital certificates. The CA's server receives a request from a client to buy several certificates. The server receives common contact information, payment details, and a single certificate signing request (CSR) from the client. The server then generates each certificate. The first certificate is generated using the common contact information, the CSR, and a first hashing algorithm. The second certificate uses the same common contact information, the same CSR, but a second hashing algorithm. The common contact information is included in each certificate. All certificates are then sent to the client in one enrollment process.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the first hashing algorithm is a SHA-1 algorithm, and wherein the second hashing algorithm is a SHA-2 algorithm.

Plain English Translation

In the certificate enrollment process as described in Claim 4, the first hashing algorithm used to generate the first certificate is SHA-1, and the second hashing algorithm used to generate the second certificate is SHA-2.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The method of claim 4 further comprising: generating the first certificate using a first cryptographic algorithm; and generating the second certificate using a second cryptographic algorithm.

Plain English Translation

In the certificate enrollment process, as described in Claim 4, the server generates the first certificate using a first cryptographic algorithm (like RSA), and generates the second certificate using a second cryptographic algorithm (like ECC). This allows a client to obtain certificates using different cryptographic methods within a single purchase and enrollment process while utilizing the same certificate signing request.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. A computer system comprising: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to: receive a request from a client to purchase a plurality of certificates; receive common contact information, payment information an one or more certificate signing requests from the client; generate the plurality of certificates responsive to the request for the plurality of certificates, wherein generating the plurality of certificates comprises: generating a first certificate using the common contact information and at least one of a first cryptographic algorithm or a first hashing algorithm, wherein at least a portion of the common contact information is embodied in the first certificate; and generating a second certificate using the common contact information and at least one of a second cryptographic algorithm or a second hashing algorithm, wherein at least a portion of the common contact information is embodied in the second certificate; and transmitting the plurality of certificates to the client; wherein the receiving of the request and the transmitting of the plurality of certificates are performed during a single enrollment process.

Plain English Translation

A computer system streamlines digital certificate purchases. It includes a memory and a processor. The processor receives a request to buy multiple certificates and gets common contact information, payment details, and one or more certificate signing requests (CSRs) from the client. The processor generates the certificates. The first certificate uses the common contact info and either a first cryptographic algorithm OR a first hashing algorithm. The second certificate uses the same common contact info and either a second cryptographic algorithm OR a second hashing algorithm. Common contact information is in each certificate. The certificates are then sent to the client in a single enrollment process.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The computer system of claim 7 wherein said computer is further adapted to: generate the first certificate using an ECC algorithm; and generate the second certificate using an RSS algorithm.

Plain English Translation

A computer system, equipped with a processor and memory, is configured to streamline the enrollment process for purchasing multiple digital certificates. This system receives a request from a client to buy several certificates, along with common contact information, payment details, and one or more Certificate Signing Requests (CSRs). In response, the system generates the requested plurality of certificates. Specifically, it generates a first certificate using the common contact information and incorporating at least one of a first cryptographic algorithm or a first hashing algorithm. Similarly, it generates a second certificate using the same common contact information and at least one of a second cryptographic algorithm or a second hashing algorithm. A portion of the common contact information is embedded within both the first and second certificates. Crucially, the system performs the entire transaction—from receiving the initial purchase request to transmitting the generated certificates to the client—during a single, integrated enrollment process. More specifically, this system is adapted to generate the first certificate using an Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) algorithm and to generate the second certificate using an RSS algorithm. ERROR (embedding): Error: Failed to save embedding: Could not find the 'embedding' column of 'patent_claims' in the schema cache

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The computer system of claim 7 wherein said processor is further configured to: generate the first certificate using a SHA-1 algorithm; and generate the second certificate using a SHA-2 algorithm.

Plain English Translation

In the computer system for streamlining certificate purchases, as described in Claim 7, the system generates the first certificate using a SHA-1 hashing algorithm, and the second certificate using a SHA-2 hashing algorithm.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: responsive to receiving the request to purchase the plurality of certificates, prompting the client to supply the common contact information, the payment information and the plurality of certificate signing requests.

Plain English Translation

In the certificate enrollment process described in Claim 1, after receiving the request to purchase multiple certificates, the system prompts the client to enter the common contact information, payment details, and the multiple certificate signing requests. This ensures the CA has all the necessary information to proceed with certificate generation.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having instructions that, when executed by a processing device, cause the processing device to perform a method comprising: receiving, by the processing device, a request from a client to purchase a plurality of certificates; receiving common contact information, payment information and a plurality of certificate signing requests from the client; generating the plurality of certificates by the processing device responsive to the request for the plurality of certificates, the generating comprising: generating a first certificate using the common contact information and a first cryptographic algorithm specified in a first certificate signing request of the plurality of certificate signing requests, wherein at least a portion of the common contact information is embodied in the first certificate; and generating a second certificate using the common contact information and a second cryptographic algorithm specified in a second certificate signing request of the plurality of certificate signing requests, wherein at least a portion of the common contact information is embodied in the second certificate; and transmitting the plurality of certificates to the client; wherein the receiving of the request and the transmitting of the plurality of certificates are performed during a single enrollment process.

Plain English Translation

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores instructions for a streamlined certificate purchasing process. When executed, the instructions cause a processing device to: receive a request from a client to purchase multiple certificates; receive common contact information, payment information, and multiple certificate signing requests from the client; generate the certificates. The first certificate uses the common contact information and a first cryptographic algorithm from the first CSR. The second certificate uses the common contact information and a second cryptographic algorithm from the second CSR. The common contact information is included in each certificate. The certificates are then sent to the client in one enrollment process.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 wherein the first cryptographic algorithm is an ECC algorithm, and wherein the second cryptographic algorithm is an RSA algorithm.

Plain English Translation

The non-transitory computer readable storage medium as described in Claim 11, where the first cryptographic algorithm is an ECC algorithm, and the second cryptographic algorithm is an RSA algorithm.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 , the method further comprising: generating the first certificate using a first hashing algorithm; and generating the second certificate using a second hashing algorithm.

Plain English Translation

In the non-transitory computer readable storage medium for certificate enrollment, as described in Claim 11, the method further includes generating the first certificate using a first hashing algorithm, and generating the second certificate using a second hashing algorithm.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 , the method further comprising: responsive to receiving the request to purchase the plurality of certificates, prompting the client to supply the common contact information, the payment information and the plurality of certificate signing requests.

Plain English Translation

In the non-transitory computer readable storage medium for certificate enrollment as described in Claim 11, the method also includes prompting the client to enter the common contact information, payment details, and the multiple certificate signing requests after receiving the request to purchase multiple certificates.

Claim 15

Original Legal Text

15. The method of claim 4 , further comprising: responsive to receiving the request to purchase the plurality of certificates, prompting the client to supply the common contact information, the payment information and the certificate signing request.

Plain English Translation

In the certificate enrollment process as described in Claim 4, the method also includes prompting the client to supply the common contact information, the payment information and the certificate signing request after receiving the request to purchase the multiple certificates.

Claim 16

Original Legal Text

16. The computer system of claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to prompt the client to supply the common contact information, the payment information and the one or more certificate signing requests responsive to receiving the request to purchase the plurality of certificates.

Plain English Translation

In the computer system described in Claim 7 for streamlined certificate purchasing, the processor is further configured to prompt the client to enter the common contact information, payment details, and the one or more certificate signing requests after receiving the initial request to purchase multiple certificates.

Classification Codes (CPC)

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Patent Metadata

Filing Date

February 23, 2010

Publication Date

June 18, 2013

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